So you’ve been thinking about remodeling your home for a while now. Somehow, every hoarding, television commercial and shop display remotely related to home interiors seems to spring out at you, calling desperately for your attention. And yet, you procrastinate, sceptical of the chaos usually associated with a home renovation. But if you have an agenda, a renovation needn’t be a long-wound, unwieldy process. In fact, it’ll be enjoyable, and one that will inspire you with new ideas along the way.

Your renovation plan rests on one central linchpin: your budget. Once you have this in place, you’ll be able to ascertain the scale of your renovation and discuss possible options with your contractor. Of course, it’s always wise to save up enough money to cover a quality renovation. Reach out to people who have completed a renovation in the recent past to understand their experiences and views. This will allow you to evaluate options and perform cost comparisons. It’s good to peg a twenty percent additional cost to your estimated base figure, because there are always miscellaneous expenses that will crop up in the course of your renovation.

As you ponder your structural and décor elements, store magazine clippings of homes you’d like to draw inspiration from. Browse the internet for the best designs and consult an interior designer if you need expert guidance.

While each of us has a set idea of what our dream home should look like, it’s important to be practical. Do we have the space, money and resources to accommodate what we want? Often, there’s always a trade-off we have to make. In an age where home loans and floating interest rates are well within reach, there’s always a temptation to reach for more. If you’re keen on following through with exactly what you have in mind, consider completing your renovation in stages, so that your bank balance and your time do not end up taking a beating.
Your contractor is the architect of your dream home, so invest time in finding a good one. The best way to do this is through word-of-mouth. Ask people in your network for recommendations so that you can be sure of what you’ve signed up for!
Also, a golden rule you should follow while renovating is doing it for the future. Classic styles are evergreen. For instance, basic white kitchen tiles will always look classy, whereas tiles in indigo or olive may become outdated as trends change. If you have children, keep in mind that they will outgrow their fixations quickly, so tiling the bathroom in cartoon tiles isn’t a great idea.

Once you have your basic agenda set, your renovation will be a rewarding experience and your dream home will finally be within reach!